Easy-opening container wall with coreline vent

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes an easy-opening container wall having a wall segment at least partially removable therefrom. A tab is secured to the container wall for initiating severance of the wall segment from the container wall. A rupturable scoreline is formed in the container wall adjacent the tab and rupturable in response to movement of the tab to initiate severance of the wall segment from the container wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An easy-opening container wall of the full panel pull-out type has apanel removable from the container wall and a tab secured to the panelto effect the removal thereof. Often, the removable panel covers a verylarge portion of the container wall. This type of easy-opening containerwall usually employs a front opening tab, i.e., a tab of the type inwhich the forward end or nose engages the container wall adjacent anedge of the removable panel to initiate severance of the panel from thecontainer wall.

More particularly, easy-opening container walls of this type typicallyinclude a rupturable scoreline in the container wall defining theremovable panel, a tab having a handle portion and a rupturing portion,and a rivet integral with the panel for securing the tab to theremovable panel. The rupturing portion of the tab is at the forward ornose end of the tab and lies closely adjacent the rupturable scoreline.

In operation of this device, the handle portion of the tab is moved awayfrom the removable panel to force the rupturing portion of the tabagainst the rupturable scoreline or against the removable panel closelyadjacent the scoreline. As the tab is secured to the removable panel bythe rivet, such upward movement of the handle portion thereof tends toflex the removable panel adjacent the rivet. As the upward movement ofthe handle portion continues, it eventually becomes necessary for asection or paddle of the panel to bend about a bend line to allow forfull upward movement of the handle portion of the tab. With alongitudinally rigid tab the bend line forms intermediate the rivet andthe center of the container wall. A problem arises in this connection inthat it is relatively hard to bend such a large section of the panelabout the bend line. Furthermore, large paddles are generallyundesirable in that they disturb the product within the container.

In an attempt to make easy-opening container walls of this type moreeasily opened, it has been suggested to form a lance in the tab. The tabis then riveted to the container wall through the lanced portionthereof. This lancing of the tab provides the tab with a built-in bendline and reduces paddle size; however, it does not obviate the need forforming a bend line fully across the section of the removable panel.Furthermore, the lancing of the tab further complicates the tabconstruction and makes the tab subject to failure from tearing andotherwise.

It is often necessary or desirable to form a vent opening in aneasy-opening container wall before the initial severance of the panelfrom the container wall. Such vents may be desirable where the productwithin the container is under pressure or vacuum and it is desirable torelease or admit pressure prior to beginning removal of the panel.

Heretofore, such vent openings have been formed only with rear openingtabs, i.e., those tabs that are secured to a tear strip intermediate theends of the tab and such intermediate portion of the tab lifts theleading edge of the tear strip to initiate severance thereof. One suchdevice includes a complicated hinged tab arrangement secured to a tearstrip in a container wall by a first rivet. The tab is further securedto the container wall by a vent rivet which is spaced from the firstrivet and lies outside of the tear strip. When the tab is manipulated toopen the container, the vent rivet is removed by a shearing actionbefore the tab is operative to remove the tear strip from the containerwall. This arrangement is fraught with disadvantages among which are thecomplexity of the tab, the need for a second rivet, and the additionalforce required to remove the vent rivet by a shearing action.Furthermore, this prior art device would not be suited for use with afront opening tab.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an easy-opening container wall having avent opening therein which is particularly adapted for use with a frontopening tab and can conveniently be used in full panel pullouts.Furthermore, the present invention facilitates initial severance of theremovable panel from the container wall and more particularly, the ventopening itself makes initial severance of the panel from the containerwall easier. The invention eliminates the need for lancing of the taband, therefore, simplifies tab construction and eliminates the danger oftab failure that is ever present with lanced tabs.

The concepts of the present invention are particularly applicable to aneasy-opening container wall of the type having a rupturable scorelinedefining a wall segment or panel in the container wall at leastpartially removable therefrom and a tab having a handle portion and arupture portion. The tab is secured to the wall segment intermediate thehandle portion and rupturing portion by a rivet or other suitableinterconnecting means.

With an easy-opening container wall of the type described above, thepresent invention teaches providing a rupturable vent scoreline in thewall segment closely adjacent the rivet, with the rivet lying betweenthe rupturing portion of the tab and a least a portion of the rupturablevent scoreline. This vent scoreline accomplishes two very importantfunctions. First, when the handle portion of the tab is moved away fromthe wall segment, the portion of the wall segment immediatelysurrounding the rivet is flexed upwardly to rupture the vent scoreline.This provides a relatively small vent opening or aperture in the wallsegment through which gases within the container may escape. The ventopening is formed prior to the time that the rupturing portion of thetab ruptures the rupturable scoreline to initiate severance of the wallsegment from the container wall.

A second very important function of the vent scoreline is to facilitatecontinued movement of the handle portion of the tab away from the wallsegment to initiate severance of he wall segment. Rupturing o the ventscoreline renders the adjacent portion of the panel more flexible sothat the panel generally offers considerably less resistance to upwardmovement of the tab. In addition, as the handle portion of the tab israised further, a bend line in the form of two bend line segments formsin the wall segment. The bend line segments extend generally laterallyfrom the ends of the vent scoreline, respectively, toward the rupturablescoreline. Thus, with the present invention, the rupturable ventscoreline effectively shortens the length of the bend line that must beformed in the wall segment as no bend line is formed intermediate theends of the vent scoreline. This further facilitates upward movement ofthe tab. Finally, the location of the fulcrum about which the tab pivotscan be moved closer to the rupturing portion of the tab by appropriatelyshaping the vent scoreline to increase the mechanical advantage andfurther facilitate ease of opening.

An important feature of the present invention is that the tab can beentirely longitudinally rigid and there is no need for lancing of thetab. With the present invention, the longitudinally rigid tab acts firstas a rear opening tab to rupture the vent scoreline and secondly as afront opening tab to initiate severance of the panel from the containerwall. During the second phase of tab movement, the vent scoreline isoperative to cause the bend line segments in the container wall tofunction as an easily operable hinge to facilitate continued swingingaction of the tab. Accordingly, it may be desirable to embody thepresent invention in an easy-opening container wall merely to facilitatemanipulation of the tab even though there is no need for equalizinginside and outside of the container.

Various shapes of vent scoreline may be used. For example, a generallytrough-shaped scoreline which may be either generally U-shaped orV-shaped can be very satisfactorily used. In this instance, the troughpreferably opens toward the rupturing portion of the tab.

Use of the rupturable vent scoreline introduces the possibility thatonce the metal of the wall segment begins tearing along the ventscoreline, it will continue tearing beyond the ends of the ventscoreline. To obviate this potential problem, it is preferred to utilizebarrier dimples closely adjacent the end portions of the vent scoreline.Preferably, such barrier dimples are elongated and the longitudinal axisof such dimples lies generally perpendicular to the adjacent length ofthe vent scoreline.

One feature of the present invention is to positively preclude tearingof the metal of the wall segment beyond the end of the vent scoreline byutilizing an elongated barrier dimple which is crimped toward an endportion of the vent scoreline. The crimp in the barrier dimple makes isvirtually impossible for the metal thereof to be torn during anyreasonable usage of the container wall. The elongation of the barrierdimples makes it very difficult or impossible for the metal of the wallsegment to tear laterally around the dimple.

Another feature of the present invention is to turn or curve the endportions of the vent scoreline away from the rupturing portion of thetab. This reduces the tendency of the metal of the wall segment tocontinue tearing beyond the end portions of the vent scoreline.

The present invention also teaches varying the shape and length of thevent scoreline to control the location of the bend line in the removablepanel. Further, by appropriately locating the barrier dimples, thebarrier dimples will not lie along the bend line and therefore will notoffer any resistance to bending about the bend line.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further features and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an easy-opening container wall constructedin accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2--2of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the easy-open container wall of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4--4of FIG. 3 and illustrating one of the barrier dimples.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5--5of FIG. 3 and illustrating the barrier dimple.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 afterthe tab has been raised slightly to rupture the vent scoreline.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 6showing how continued manipulation of the tab effects removal of thewall segment from the container wall.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a second formof vent scoreline.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a third formof vent scoreline.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a fourthform of vent scoreline.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a fifth formof vent scoreline.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating amodified form of barrier dimple.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, referencenumeral 11 designates an easy-opening container wall or can endconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.The container wall 11 is formed of sheet metal and has a circularrupturable scoreline 13 therein which defines a wall segment orremovable panel 15. The panel 15 is removable from the container wall 11by tearing of a rupturable web 17 (FIG. 2) which is defined by therupturable scoreline 13. The panel 15 can be removed from the containerwall 11 by a front opening tab 19 having a handle portion 21 and arupturing portion 23. The tab 19 is attached to the panel 15 by a hollowrivet 25 formed integrally with the panel 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the rivet 25 lies intermediate the handle portion 21 and the rupturingportion 23 and the rupturing portion 23 lies along or closely adjacentthe scoreline 13.

With reference to FIG. 2, the can end 11 has a peripheral flange 27 forattaching the container wall 11 to a container 28 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Thepanel 15 is formed with an inwardly dished section 29 beneath the handleportion 21.

The tab 19 is a longitudinally rigid member which is stiffened by anouter bead 31 extending a substantial distance around the periphery ofthe tab and an inner bead 33 which defines a finger opening or ring 35.The tab also has a lower wall 37 having an aperture 39 therein. Thelower wall 37 is integrally connected to the remaining portion of thetab 19 by an upwardly extending sloping wall 41. As shown in FIG. 2, therivet 25 projects through the aperture 39 to clamp the tab 19 firmlyagainst the panel 15. The tab 19 forms a longitudinally rigid lever andhas no lance in the lower wall 37 thereof. The rupturing portion 23 ofthe tab is in the form of a depending flange and preferably lies abovethe rupturable web 17 as shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 3, a rupturable vent scoreline 43 of a shallow Vconfiguration is formed in the panel 15. The vent scoreline 43 openstoward the rupturing portion 23 of the tab 19 and partially surroundsthe rivet 25, with the rivet 25 lying intermediate the rupturing portionof the tab and the vent scoreline. The rivet 25 lies at least partiallywithin a region of the panel 15 which is partially enclosed by the ventscoreline 43. The vent scoreline 43 is scored downwardly to leave aresidual vent web 45 (FIG. 4) of only approximately .003 inch.Typically, the vent web 45 will be at least slightly thinner than therupturable web 17. The vent scoreline 43 illustrated in FIG. 3 issymmetrical about a radially extending line drawn through the center ofthe container wall 11 and through the apex of the V-shaped scoreline.

The vent scoreline has two end portions 47 and 49. Elongated identicalbarrier dimples 51 and 53 are formed closely adjacent the end portions47 and 49, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal axis ofeach of the barrier dimples 51 and 53 is generally perpendicular to theadjacent leg of the V-shaped vent scoreline 43.

The details of the barrier dimple 51 can best be seen by reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. The barrier dimples 51 and 53 are preferably formeddownwardly so as not to interfere with the tab 19 which lies thereover.The dimples 51 and 53 should be elongated so as to make it difficult forthe metal of the can end 11 to tear around the dimple. In the particularembodiment illustrated, the dimple 51 is longer (FIG. 5) than it is wide(FIG. 4) and is located very closely adjacent the outer end portion 47of the vent scoreline 43.

The operation of the present invention can best be understood byreference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The user first grasps the handle portion 21of the tab 19 and lifts it upwardly away from the panel 15. Such upwardmovement of the handle portion 21 flexes the panel 15 adjacent the rivet25 and applies an upward force through the lower wall 37 to the edge ofthe rivet 25 adjacent the handle portion 21. Simultaneously, therupturing portion 23 of the tab 19 is urged downwardly toward the web 17surrounding the panel 15. As such upward movement of the handle portion21 continues, the panel 15 will deflect somewhat and when sufficientforce is applied to the vent scoreline 43, the vent web 45 will ruptureto form a vent opening or aperture 55 (FIG. 6). The vent opening 55which is formed before the web 17 ruptures, allows for the escape ofgases within the container and makes the panel 15 adjacent the rivet 25more flexible to facilitate continued upward movement of the handleportion 21.

To allow for further upward movement of the handle portion 21, it isnecessary that the panel 15 bend to allow a panel section 57 (FIGS. 3and 7) to bend inwardly into the interior of the container. It has beenfound that the panel section 57 tends to bend about aligned bend linesegments 59 and 61 (FIG. 3) and that the tab pivots about such bend linesegments. As shown in FIG. 3, the bend line segments 59 and 61 extendgenerally laterally from the end portions 47 and 49, respectively, ofthe vent scoreline 43. Thus, the location of the end portions 47 and 49generally control the location of the bend line segments 59 and 61 andthe leverage obtainable from a tab of given length. In the embodimentillustrated, the bend line segments 59 and 61 may extend around orthrough the barrier dimples 51 and 53. The bend line segments 59 and 61combined form a bend line about which the panel section 57 pivotsinwardly as shown in FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that without thevent scoreline 43 and the rupturing thereof, the bend line formed in thepanel 15 would necessarily have to extend completely across such panelintermediate the rivet 27 and the handle portion 21. However, because ofthe rupture of the vent scoreline 43, it is only necessary to bend themetal along the two relatively short bend line segments 59 and 61. Thismaterially facilitates continued upward movement of the handle portion21.

The rupturing portion 23 of the tab 19 forcibly engages and ruptures theweb 17 to form an opening 63 (FIG. 7) in the can end 11. As a result ofthe pivoting of the tab 19 and the panel section 57 about the bend linesegments 59 and 61, the web 17 will rupture along its length generallybetween the ends of the bend line segments 59 and 61. To effectenlargement of the opening 63, it is necessary for the user to exert anupward and outward pull along the tab 19 as shown in phantom in FIG. 7.This will cause further rupture of the web 17 and ultimately completeremoval of the panel 15 from the container 28.

The barrier dimples 51 and 53 prevent tearing of the metal of the panel15 during raising of the tab 19. If the dimples 51 and 53 were notprovided, the metal of the panel 15 would tend to tear beyond the endportions 47 and 49 of the vent scoreline 43. Such tearing might occur,for example, generally along tear lines 64 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the device. The embodiment ofFIG. 8 is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 except the shape ofthe vent scoreline and the position of the barrier dimples have beenchanged. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a container wall 65 having a rupturablescoreline 67 defining a removable panel 69. A tab 71 having a handleportion 73 and a rupturing portion 75 is secured to the panel 69 by arivet 77. In all of the respects mentioned above, the structure of FIG.8 is identical to the structure of FIGS. 1-7.

A generally V-shaped vent scoreline 79 is formed in the panel 69. Thevent scoreline 79 extends generally toward the rupturing portion 75 ofthe tab 71 and terminates in end portions 81 and 83. If a straight linewere drawn between the end portions 81 and 83, it would lie intermediatethe rivet 77 and the rupturing portion 75. Bend line segments 85 and 86which are generally aligned extend laterally outwardly of the endportions 81 and 83, respectively.

Elongated barrier dimples 87 and 89 are formed closely adjacent the endportions 81 and 83, respectively, of the vent scoreline 79. Thelongitudinal axis of the elongated barrier dimples 87 and 89 aregenerally transverse to the end portions 81 and 83 but are notperpendicular thereto. The longitudinal axes of the barrier dimples 87and 89 are generally parallel to the bend line segments 85 and 86.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is the same as the operationof the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. It should be noted, however, that endportions 81 and 83 of the vent scoreline 79 terminate closer to therupturable scoreline 67 than do the end portions 47 and 49 of the ventscoreline 43. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the bend line segments85 and 86 are shorter than the corresponding bend line segments in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-7 and greater leverage is obtainable with the tab71. Furthermore, the dimples are oriented so as not to lie along thebend line segments 85 and 86 and, therefore, the dimples cannotinterfere with the formation of the bend line segments. Accordingly, theembodiment of FIG. 8 will be somewhat easier to open than the embodimentof FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of FIG.9 is very similar to the embodiments described above except that theformer teaches the use of a vent scoreline 101 having end portions 103and 105 which curve away from the associated barrier dimples 107 and109. The curving of the end portions 103 and 105 tends to further reducethe likelihood of tearing of the metal of the can end.

More specifically, FIG. 9 shows a container wall 111 having a rupturablescoreline 113 defining a removable panel or wall segment 115. A tab 17is secured to the wall segment 115 by a rivet 119. The vent scoreline101 is formed in the panel 115 and opens toward a rupturing portion 121of the tab 117.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 9 is the same as the operationof the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The elongated barrier dimples 107 and109 are located as described above in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 8 so as to lie on one side of bend line segments 123 and 124. Theprimary advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 9 is that the turning orcurving of the end portions 103 and 105 away from the rupturing portion121 of the tab 117 further reduces the tendency of the metal of thepanel 115 to tear. This is so because the curved end portions 103 and105 inherently offer more resistance to tearing of the sheet metal thandoes the straight line end portions shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Moreparticularly, FIG. 10 shows an alternate shape of vent scoreline and analternate manner of turning of the end portions of the vent scorelineaway from the rupturing portion of the tab.

FIG. 10 shows a container wall 125 having a circular rupturablescoreline 127 defining a removable panel 129. A tab 131 having a handleportion 132 and a rupturing portion 133 is secured to the panel 129 by arivet 135.

A vent scoreline 137 is formed in the panel 129. The vent scoreline hasan intermediate section 139 in the form of a straight line which liesclosely adjacent the rivet 135 intermediate the rivet and the handleportion 132 of the tab 131. The vent scoreline 137 has end portions 141and 143 which are turned away from the rupturing portion 133 of the tab131. Barrier dimples 145 and 147 are formed closely adjacent the endportions 141 and 143, respectively, with the longitudinal axes of thebarrier dimples being generally perpendicular to the adjacent endportion. The barrier dimples 145 and 147 prevent tearing of the metal ofthe panel 129 beyond the end portions 141 and 143.

In the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 10, bend line segments 149and 151 will form in the can end as shown in FIG. 10 upon raising of thehandle portion 132 of the tab 131. Generally, the bend line segments 149and 151 and the intermediate section 139 will form a generally straightline. A vent opening will be formed by the rupture of the vent scoreline137 and the panel 129 is removed as described above.

FIG. 11 shows another form of vent scoreline. FIG. 11 illustrates acontainer wall or can end 153 having a circular rupturable scoreline 155therein defining a circular removable panel 157. A tab 159 is secured tothe panel 157 by a rivet 161 and is oriented with respect to thecontainer wall 153 in the same manner as described above in connectionwith the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. A vent scoreline 163 is formed partway around the rivet 161 as shown. The vent scoreline 163 is shapedsimilarly to the vent scoreline 101 shown in FIG. 9. The vent scoreline163 has a curved portion 165 adjacent the rivet and tangent portions 167extending outwardly therefrom toward the periphery of the panel 157.Each of the tangent portions 167 terminates in a curved end portion 169which redirects the vent scoreline 163 back toward the central region ofthe panel 157. This substantially reduces the tendency of the panel 157to continue tearing beyond the end portions of the vent scoreline uponrupture of the vent scoreline by the tab 159.

Manipulation of the tab 159 causes the panel 157 to bend about bendlinesegments 171 and 173 to define a paddle 175. The bendline segments 171and 173 are generally aligned and extend generally tangent to the curvedend portions 169. The tangent portions 167 should extend toward theperiphery of the panel 157 a sufficient distance so that the paddle 157will not be unduly large and yet be sufficiently large to provide fromthe rupture of a sufficiently long arcuate segment of the scoreline 155in response to pivotal movement of the tab 159. The radius of the curvedend portions 169 should be sufficiently large to avoid tearing of thepanel 157 beyond the vent scoreline 163 upon manipulation of the tab 159to initiate severance of the panel 157. No barrier dimples are providedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 although barrier dimples would beutilized, if desired.

Another feature of the present invention is to form an improved barrierdimple. Such improved barrier dimple is useful in preventing tearing ofthe sheet metal beyond the ends of a scoreline in sheet material.

More particularly, with reference to FIG. 12, reference numeral 177designates a section of sheet metal. A rupturable scoreline 179 definesa rupturable web 181 in the sheet metal. The rupturable web 181 has anend portion 183 beyond which it is desired to prevent tearing of thesheet metal. To prevent such tearing, an elongated barrier dimple 185 isformed integrally in the sheet metal. The section through the barrierdimple 185 shown in FIG. 12 is taken generally transverse thelongitudinal axis of the barrier dimple 185. The barrier dimple 185 iscrimped over toward the end portion 183. Thus, a tip 187 of the barrierdimple 185 engages an undersurface 191 of the section of sheet metal177. It has been found that this crimping of the barrier dimple towardthe end portion of the rupturable web 181 substantially increases theability of the barrier dimple to resist tearing of the sheet metalbeyond the end portion 183.

It will be apparent that the barrier dimple 185 has utility in variousareas of the sheet metal art where it is desired to prevent tearing ofthe sheet metal. One such use is described above in connection with thevarious embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-11.

The barrier dimple can be formed easily by merely forming a barrierdimple of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with a cooperating punch anddie set (not shown) and then crimping of the metal laterally with anyconvenient tooling, such as a punch having a sloping working surface.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent that one having ordinary skill in the artcould make numerous modifications, substitutions and changes withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

I claim:
 1. In an easy-opening container wall, the combination of:ascoreline in the container wall defining a rupturable web in thecontainer wall, said rupturable web defining a wall segment at leastpartially removable from the container wall; a tab for initiatingremoval of said wall segment, said tab having a .Iadd.longitudinally.Iaddend.handle portion and a rupturing portion; interconnecting meansfor attaching said tab intermediate said portions thereof to thecontainer wall with the rupturing portion lying closely adjacent saidrupturable web and being engageable with said wall segment wherebymovement of said handle portion of said .Iadd.longitudinally.Iaddend.tab away from the container wall forces said rupturing portiontoward the container wall .Iadd.while said tab remains longitudinallyrigid.Iaddend.; .[.and.]. rupturable scoreline means in the containerwall adjacent said interconnecting means rupturable in response tomovement of the handle portion of the tab away from the container wall.Iadd.while said tab remains longitudinally rigid .Iaddend.to form anaperture in the container wall to facilitate continued movement of saidhandle portion away from the container wall .Iadd.while said tab remainslongitudinally rigid .Iaddend.whereby such continued movement of thehandle portion causes said rupturing portion to initiate severance ofsaid wall segment from the container wall along said rupturableweb.[...]..Iadd.; and said longitudinally rigid tab remaininglongitudinally rigid during rupture of both said scoreline and saidrupturable scoreline means and during movement of the handle portionaway from the container wall whereby the rupturing portion of said rigidtab bears downwardly on said container wall while lifting on saidinterconnecting means as said handle portion of said rigid tab is movedaway from said container wall. .Iaddend.
 2. A tab as defined in claim 1wherein said interconnecting means is positioned between said rupturableweb and at least a portion of said rupturable scoreline means prior tosaid movement of said handle portion of said tab away from the containerwall.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said rupturablescoreline means terminates in end portions and barrier dimple means areprovided adjacent said end portions of said rupturable scoreline meansto resist tearing of the material of the container wall beyond saidrupturable scoreline means.
 4. In an easy-opening container wall, thecombination of:a scoreline in the container wall defining a rupturableweb in the container wall, said rupturable web defining a wall segmentat least partially removable from the container wall; a longitudinallyrigid tab for initiating removal of the wall segment from the containerwall, said tab having a lifting portion and a rupturing portion;interconnecting means for attaching said tab intermediate said portionsthereof to said wall segment with the rupturing portion lying closelyadjacent said rupturable web whereby movement of said lifting portion ofsaid tab away from the container wall forces said rupturing portiontoward the container wall; and a line of weakness in said wall segment,said line of weakness having end portions spaced from said firstrupturable web, said interconnecting means lying between at least aportion of said line of weakness and said rupturable web wherebymovement of said handle portion of said tab away from the container wallstresses and ruptures the container wall along said line of weakness toprovide an aperture in said wall segment to facilitate continuedmovement of said handle portion of said tab, such continued movement ofthe handle portion causing said rupturing portion to initiate severanceof said wall segment from the container wall along said rupturable web.5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said line of weakness isgenerally trough-shaped and opens toward said rupturing portion of saidtab.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said end portions ofsaid line of weakness are turned away from said rupturing portion ofsaid tab. .[.7. A combination as defined in claim 4 including a barrierdimple in the wall segment closely adjacent one of said end portions ofthe line of weakness with said barrier dimple being crimped over towardsaid one end portion..].
 8. A combination as defined in claim 4including an elongated barrier dimple with the longitudinal axis of saidbarrier dimple lying closely adjacent and being generally transverse toone of said end portions of said line of weakness.
 9. In an easy-openingcontainer wall of sheet metal, the combination of:a scoreline in thecontainer wall defining a panel at least partially removable therefrom;a line of weakness adjacent one end of the panel and partially enclosinga region of the panel, said line of weakness terminating short of saidscoreline; a .Iadd.longitudinally rigid .Iaddend.tab having a liftingend and a rupturing end; and a hollow rivet integral with said region ofthe panel and partially surrounded by said line of weakness, said rivetlying intermediate said line of weakness and said scoreline, said rivetattaching said tab to the panel intermediate said ends thereof with therupturing end of the tab closely adjacent said one end of the panelwhereby movement of said handle end of said tab away from the containerwall .Iadd.causes the rupturing end of said tab to bear downwardlyagainst said container wall while said tab remains longitudinally rigidand .Iaddend.lifts said region of the panel .Iadd.by the rupturing endbearing downwardly as the lifting end of said longitudinally rigid tabis lifted thus raising said longitudinally rigid tab intermediate theends thereof .Iaddend.to cause said tab to rupture said line of weaknessas a rear opening tab to form an opening in the panel and causes saidrupturing portion to push said one end of said panel downwardly toinitiate removal of the panel from the container wall in front openingfashion.
 10. In a method of limiting tearing of sheet material beyond anend of a rupturable scoreline formed in the sheet material, the stepsof:forming a barrier dimple in the sheet material closely adjacent theend of the rupturable scoreline; and crimping said dimple toward saidend of said rupturable scoreline to substantially prevent tearing of thesheet material beyond said end of the rupturable scoreline.
 11. A methodas defined in claim 10 wherein said barrier dimple is elongated with thelongitudinal axis thereof being generally transverse to a portion of therupturable scoreline adjacent said end of the rupturable scoreline. 12.A method as defined in claim 10 wherein the sheet material defines aneasy-opening sheet metal can end having a hollow rivet integraltherewith and the rupturable scoreline is formed at least partiallyaround said hollow rivet.
 13. In an easy-opening container wall of sheetmaterial, the combination of:a scoreline defining a rupturable web inthe container wall, said rupturable web defining a wall segment at leastpartially removable from the container wall; a longitudinally rigid tabfor initiating removal of the wall segment from the container wall, saidtab having a handle portion; interconnecting means for attaching saidtab to the container wall closely adjacent said rupturable web inposition to rupture the container wall along the scoreline in responseto moving of the handle portion away from the container wall; and a lineof weakness in the container wall, said interconnecting means lyingbetween at least a portion of said line of weakness and said scoreline,said container wall being rupturable along the line of weakness inresponse to movement of the handle portion away from the container wallto form an aperture in the container whereby continued movement of thehandle portion away from the container wall is facilitated and causesrupture of the container wall along said scoreline. .Iadd.
 14. An endclosure for a container, said end closure having a removable areadefined by a score line adjacent to the periphery thereof, a rivetformed in said removable area, a longitudinally rigid pull tab securedintermediate the ends thereof to said removable area by said rivet andan ancillary score in said removable area, said ancillary score having acentral portion adjacent to one side of said rivet, the ends of saidancillary score extending towards said peripheral score so that saidlongitudinally rigid pull tab may be manipulated by lifting one endthereof to cause the other end to bear downwardly on the end closurewhile the portion of the rigid tab intermediate the ends of said rigidtab lifts on said rivet to rupture said ancillary score and stress themetal between said scores to initiate rupture of said peripheral score..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 15. The end closure defined in claim 14 wherein saidcentral portion of said ancillary score encircles said rivet for aportion of the circumference of said rivet. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 16. The endclosure defined in claim 14 wherein said ends of said ancillary scoreare separated from said peripheral score by an inclined wall whichslopes outwardly from said ancillary score. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 17. Acontainer component, said component having a primary score defining aremovable section in said component, a longitudinally rigid opening tab,means connecting said opening tab to said removable section, and anancillary score in said removable section adjacent said connecting meanswhereby when one end of said longitudinally rigid opening tab is pulledupwardly the other end of said tab adjacent said primary score andforward of said connecting means bears downwardly to lift upon saidconnecting means through the action of said rigid tab and to stress saidconnecting means relative to said removable section, said ancillaryscore will rupture to permit said connecting means to move out of theplane of said removable section to facilitate the application ofrupturing pressure against said primary score. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 18. Acontainer end closure, said end closure having a primary peripheralscore defining a removable section, a longitudinally rigid opening tab,a rivet connecting said opening tab to said removable section, saidlongitudinally rigid tab including means on one side of said rivet forapplying pressure to said removable section immediately inwardly of saidprimary score to initiate rupture of said primary score, handle means onsaid opening tab disposed on the opposite side of said rivet, and anancillary score disposed closely adjacent said rivet on said oppositeside thereof, said ancillary score being rupturable through the actionof said longitudinally rigid tab when said handle means is lifted tocause said means on one side of said rivet to bear down on said endclosure forward of said rivet as said handle end of said tab is liftedto stress said rivet relative to said removable section, whereby saidrivet is enabled to move out of the plane of said removable section topermit said pressure applying means to be moved by further manipulationof said handle means to effect initial rupture of said primary score..Iaddend..Iadd.
 19. Container easy-open structure comprising a containerwall, an outer scoreline of diminished material thickness located on thecontainer wall defining a removable portion of such wall, an innerscoreline of diminished material thickness located within the removableportion of the container wall, the scorelines defining a tear segment inthe container wall located between the scorelines, a longitudinallyrigid opening member including a forward end and an intermediateportion, and securing means for securing the opening member through saidintermediate portion to the tear segment, the opening member including ahandle end in spaced relationship from the securing means, the innerscoreline having a starter section at the tear segment adjacent thesecuring means at a position to be ruptured with movement of the handleend of the opening member in a direction away from the container wall,the outer scoreline having a starter section at the tear segmentadjacent the securing means at a position to be ruptured with movementof the handle end of the opening member in a direction away from thecontainer wall, the rupture of one of the starter sections being byClass 1 lever action of said longitudinally rigid opening member and therupture of the other starter section being by Class 2 lever action ofsaid longitudinally rigid opening member, the starter sections of thescorelines being located on opposite sides of the securing means so thatthe securing means is completely within the tear segment. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 20. The structure of claim 19 in which the tear segment extendsbetween the scorelines around a peripheral segment of the removableportion of the wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 21. The structure of claim 19 inwhich the starter section of the inner scoreline adjacent the securingmeans includes a pointed configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 22. Thestructure of claim 21 in which the pointed configuration of the innerscoreline starter section projects in a direction away from the securingmeans. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 23. The structure of claim 19 in which the tearsegment has opposite ends and a midsection, and the opening member issecured to the midsection of the tear strip. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24.Container easy-open structure comprising a container wall, an outerscoreline of diminished material thickness defining a removable portionof the container wall, an inner scoreline of diminished materialthickness located within the removable portion of the container wall,the scorelines defining a tear segment extending between the scorelinesaround a peripheral segment of the removable portion of the wall, alongitudinally rigid opening member, and securing means for securing theopening member to the tear segment, the opening member having a handleend non-bendable during use and a remaining end non-bendable during uselocated on opposite sides of the securing means, the inner scorelinehaving a starter section located in close proximity to the securingmeans at a position to be ruptured by Class 2 lever action with movementof the handle end of the longitudinally rigid opening member in adirection away from the wall, the outer scoreline having a startersection, the starter sections of the inner and outer scorelines beinglocated on opposite sides of the securing means, the remaining end ofthe opening member including rupturing means for rupturing by Class 1lever action the starter section of the outer scoreline with movement ofthe non-bendable handle end of the longitudinally rigid opening memberin a direction away from the wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 25. The structure ofclaim 24 in which the tear segment has opposite ends and a midsectionand the opening member is secured to the midsection of the tear segment..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 26. The structure of claim 24 in which the removableportion of the wall includes profiling means for increasing the strengthof the removable portions. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 27. The structure of claim 24in which the rupturing means at the remaining end of the opening memberis aligned with and contiguous the starter section of the outerscoreline. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 28. The structure of claim 27 in which thescorelines are formed on an exterior surface of the container wall..Iaddend..Iadd.
 29. The structure of claim 24 in which at least a majorportion of the starter section of the inner scoreline underlies theopening member, with the starter section of the inner scoreline beingpositioned to be ruptured upon movement of the handle end of the openingmember away from the container wall and the starter section of the outerscoreline being positioned to be ruptured subsequent to rupture of theinner scoreline. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 30. The structure of claim 29 in whichthe starter sections of the scorelines are positioned to be ruptured inrapid sequence. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 31. The structure of claim 29 in whichthe starter section of the inner scoreline includes a pointedconfiguration underlying the opening member and projecting in adirection away from the securing means. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 32. Thestructure of claim 24 in which the removable portion of the containerwall constitutes a major portion of a wall of the container..Iaddend..Iadd.
 33. The structure of claim 32 in which the containerwall is an end wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 34. The structure of claim 24including restraining means for restraining rotational movement of theopening member about the securing walls in a direction generallyparallel to the container wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 35. The structure ofclaim 24 in which movement of the rupturing means is in a directiontoward the container wall with movement of the handle end of the openingmember in a direction away from the wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 36. Thestructure of claim 24 in which the securing means comprises a unitaryrivet, the rivet being formed from material of the container wall..Iaddend..Iadd.
 37. The structure of claim 24 in which the containerwall comprises sheet metal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 38. In an assemblyincluding a panel having a removable portion, and a pull tab secured tosaid panel and restricted substantially against hinging relative to anadjacent portion of said panel; the improvement residing in a line ofweakening formed in said panel removable portion immediately adjacentthe connection between said pull tab and said panel for effecting theinitial rupture of said panel upon the application of a panel rupturingforce to said pull tab and the formation of hinge means in said panelwith said hinge means including said connection and facilitating thehinging of said pull tab for effecting the further and separate ruptureof said panel remote from said connection and the removal of said panelportion, and said pull tab being a longitudinally member which is notnon-bendable during an opening sequence. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 39. Theassembly of claim 38 wherein said removable panel portion is defined bya second line of weakening formed separate and apart from thefirst-mentioned line of weakening. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 40. The assembly ofclaim 38 wherein said line of weakening underlies said pull tab andadditionally functions to form a vent opening upon the initial ruptureof said panel. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 41. The assembly of claim 38 wherein saidline of weakening is generally U-shaped. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 42. Theassembly of claim 38 wherein said line of weakening is generallyU-shaped and opens toward said connection. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 43. Theassembly of claim 38 wherein said line of weakening is generallyU-shaped and has diverging end portions for preventing the accidentalseparate tearing out of said hinge means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 44. In acontainer end including an end panel defined by an upstanding chuckwall, a weakening line formed in said end panel and defining a removablepanel portion, said weakening line including a starting portion disposedclosedly adjacent said chuck wall, a pull tab having a nose for engagingsaid panel along said weakening line starting portion for effecting therupture of said panel in the removal of said panel portion, and securingmeans securing said pull tab to said panel; the improvement comprisingsaid securing means rigidly securing said pull tab to said panel portionand including hinge forming means in said removable panel portion forfacilitating the hinging of said pull tab relative to said end panel torupture said end panel along said weakening line starting portion, andsaid pull tab being a longitudinally rigid lever which is non-bendableduring an opening sequence. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 45. The container end ofclaim 44 wherein said hinge forming means includes a generally U-shapedweakening line opening towards said weakening line starting portion..Iaddend..Iadd.
 46. The container end of claim 44 wherein said hingeforming means includes a generally U-shaped weakening line openingtowards said weakening line starting portion and having terminal endsdirected away from said weakening line starting portion for preventingthe accidental tearing out of a narrow portion only of said removablepanel portion between said weakening lines. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 47. Thecontainer end of claim 44 wherein said line of weakening includes agenerally U-shaped central portion and diverging adjacent portions..Iaddend..Iadd.
 48. The assembly of claim 38 wherein said removablepanel portion is defined by a second line of weakening formed separateand apart from the first-mentioned line of weakening, and said lines ofweakening define an intermediate strap-like hinge strip. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The assembly of claim 48 wherein said pull tab is secured only tosaid hinge strip. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 50. A container end including an endpanel, a continuous primary weakening line in said end panel defining aremovable panel portion, a secondary weakening line in said removablepanel portion separate and apart from said primary weakening line, anose positioned adjacent said primary weakening line for effectingrupture of said primary weakening line, and a pull tab secured to saidremovable panel portion adjacent to said secondary weakening line and inalignment with said nose, and said nose and said pull tab forming alongitudinally rigid lever in which the nose is non-bendable relative tothe pull tab for first stressing said removable panel portion to effectrupture thereof along said secondary weakening line and then effectingthe movement of said nose to stress said end panel along said primaryweakening line to rupture said end panel therealong. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. The container end of claim 50 wherein said pull tab is permanentlyconnected to said nose. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 52. The container end of claim50 wherein said nose is displaced from the connection between said pulltab and said removable panel portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 53. The containerend of claim 50 wherein said nose is a part of said pull tab. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 54. In a container, the combination of: a container wall of sheetmaterial; a first line of weakness in said container wall defining atear strip manually removable therefrom; a second line of weakness insaid container wall adjacent said first line of weakness and defining ahinge, said hinge being spaced from said first line of weakness by aportion of said tear strip; a longitudinally rigid lever type tab lyingat least partially within the area of said tear strip, said tab having ahandle end and a force applying end which is non-bendable in userelative to said handle end with the force applying end lying at apreselected location closely adjacent said first line of weakness; andmeans integral with said tear strip for securing said tab to said tearstrip, movement of said handle end of said tab urging said forceapplying end firmly against said container wall to cause hinged movementof said portion of said container wall about said hinge to initiateseverance of the tear strip along said first line of weakness..Iaddend..Iadd.
 55. A combination as defined in claim 55 wherein saidhinge lies within said tear strip and said tab extends across saidhinge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 56. A combination as defined in claim 55 whereinsaid tear strip extends over a major portion of said container wall..Iaddend..Iadd.
 57. A combination as defined in claim 55 wherein saidhinge lies intermediate said last mentioned means and said first line ofweakness and said preselected location is on said tear strip. .Iaddend.